How do unrestricted pediatric gifts help at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital?

Upstate Foundation Pediatric Allocations 2015 - 2016

The Upstate Foundation has allocated more than $350,000 in unrestricted donations from its 2015 annual fundraising campaign to benefit pediatric patient care programs, services and research at Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital.

The gifts were raised from individuals, corporations, civic organizations and school groups, as well as from events conducted by both the Foundation and members of the Central New York community. Valuable support is also received every year from numerous retail partners of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“For more than 30 years, contributions from our donors and sponsors have allowed the Upstate Foundation to help fund pediatric programs at our children’s hospital, many of which would not otherwise have been supported,” said Toni Gary, director of community relations for Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital and Upstate Foundation. “The generosity of our donors has made such a positive difference in the lives of the 100,000 sick and injured children who are treated annually at the hospital.”

As a result of an allocations process, 26 of 30 grant proposals were selected for funding, representing patient amenities and care programs, staff education and family services.In addition, $35,000 was awarded to the Richard and Jean Clark Pediatric Research Fund, which was endowed last year.

“Allocations offered assistance for families with extended stays, as well as ongoing funding for the Child Life Department to provide pediatric patients with movies, games, books, music therapy equipment, computer programs and other distraction items,” said Gary.

Funding allocations also benefited fish tank maintenance, Safe Kids Upstate New York Coalition, nursing and medical staff development programs, distraction items for pediatric patients, and the transport team. Funds were also disbursed to provide continued support of the Family Resource Center in the children’s hospital so that families may learn more about the treatment and care of their child’s illness. A grant for discretionary spending by the hospital was also approved.

Each year, the Upstate Foundation distributes a request for proposals to all areas of Upstate’s Pediatrics Department, including outpatient clinics and services. Funding is determined by an allocations outreach committee consisting of community and hospital pediatricians, other pediatric staff members, and community business leaders. The committee is led by Thomas Welch, MD, professor and chair of the Department of Pediatrics and medical director of Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital. The committee’s recommendations are reviewed and approved by the Upstate Golisano Children’s Hospital Development Committee before being presented to the Upstate Foundation board of directors for final approval.